theory

Everyone knows that Vincent van Gogh cut his own ear off, but until recently, no one really knew why. The mystery has been the subject of much conversation, which has been, admittedly, just so much fun to talk about and reference. Why would anyone want to spoil it?

Well, author Martin Bailey does, and he thinks that he stumbled on the inciting incident while doing research for his new book, Studio of the South: Van Gogh in Provence. He believes that on Christmas eve in 1888, after finding out that his brother Theo was getting married, Van Gogh took a razor to the head. Always the bridesmaid, never the bride, Van Gogh was livid that he would lose his closest companion, making the mystery behind this horrific act less fun than it used to be.

This theory came about when Bailey learned of a letter from Theo to Vincent dated just days before the act of self-mutilation occurred. The letter was received on December 23, 1888. Bailey simply put two and two together.

“We don’t have that letter," Bailey told CNN. "But in another one Van Gogh sends in January, he mentions receiving money from his brother on the 23rd of December. It was fear that pulled the trigger and led to the breakdown. Fear of being abandoned in both an emotional and financial way.”

I guess that just puts an end to all the fun of why one of history’s great artist cut his own ear off. Yeesh. This is us, rn:

In the meantime if you hopped back on board the Bowie nostalgia train check out this next level ethereal track, 'Starman' from the legend himself. The vocals will strike a soul-pleasing chord and send chills down the back your spine:

Welcome to the wonderful world of Game of Thrones fan theories where anything is possible, everyone is everyone's brother/sister/lover/murderer and no one ever dies.

The most recent theory to ride the bloody waves of season five's finale is based around the prevailing R+L=J theory, which basically holds that Jon Snow is the son of Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark. If you don't know about this, then watch the following helpful video:

Here's where things get even more crazy. Some people are now combining an old theory – that Meera Reed, the girl currently with Bran, is actually Jon Snow's twin sister – with this other theory about Jon Snow's parentage; hence the R+L=J+M.

Despite the fact that Jon Snow looks a hell of a lot older than Meera in the TV series, this impressively in-depth Wiki of Ice and Fire lists the birth years of both characters as 283 AC – which would make them the same age. When you add in the fact that Lyanna Stark is also listed by the Wiki as dying in 283 AC (and Meera's supposed father Howland Reed was with Ned at the Tower of Joy on the day they went to find Lyanna), it seems like there's more than enough ground for a good old fan theory.

You know Meera, she's the gal with the bow and the sister of the mysterious Jojen. They weren't seen this past season and are probably still just hanging around with that old tree dude, who turned out to be the three-eyed crow.

Trust no one, except this Irish guy in a bathrobe.
"Viper" Higgins, the comedian who brought you that epic sailing commentary a few years ago, has released a new video pointing out some of the biggest conspiracies of our time.
Everything from Jesus and the pyramids to… shpiders.
You have to see it to believe it.

According to a recent study by BBC Radio's statistical literacy program More or Less, the tallest stable LEGO structure would be comprised of 375,000 lego bricks and stand 3.5km (2.17 miles) high before the brick at the base of the tower finally gave in to the weight. The current world record for the tallest LEGO structure was set in 2011 by Sao Paulo's multi-colored monolith made from 500,000 bricks that is 102 feet and 3 inches tall. Hat tip goes to BoingBoing.